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Stidman was at the intersection of FM 762 and Brazos Center Boulevard just south of Rosenberg about 12:45 a.m. that day when his 2007 Harley Sportster motorcycle was hit from behind by a pickup truck driven by McGuire.

Stidman had come home early from a post-service leave after five years in the Marines to help his father recuperate from a motorcycle accident.

McGuire, who was not injured, left the scene for a nearby gas station where he called friends and family members in law enforcement but did not call 911, the news release said. He was arrested shortly after the accident and booked into the Fort Bend County jail. He was later released on bond.

The case took more than three years to come to trial, which Bennyhoff attributed primarily to numerous appeals by the defense.

Defense attorney Michael Elliott, however, said the prosecution had violated his client's rights by stating "time and again," both before the trial and during it, that McGuire was high on cocaine at the time of the accident, whereas a test showed that was "flat-false."

"I'm sorry if he thinks the defense doesn't have the right to make the state follow the rules, but we absolutely do," Elliott said.

He also noted that testimony during the trial indicated tests of McGuire's blood-alcohol content were inconclusive because of the time that elapsed between the accident and the blood draw.

Elliott said Thursday he had already filed a notice of appeal.

"Our hearts go our to Mr. Stidman and his family, because it's a tragic situation any time somebody loses a loved one," Elliott said. "This was a horrible, tragic accident."

The jury reached its decision on McGuire's punishment at about 9:30 p.m. March 19, after hearing seven to 10 of the defendant's family members testify to his good character, Bennyhoff said.

Prosecutors were satisfied with the case outcome, Bennyhof said.

"We feel very much vindicated that jurors found him guilty of the murder charge and took a serious stance on the punishment," he said. "When third-time drunk drivers are driving around killing people, we take that extremely seriously. We're gratified that citizens on the jury took it seriously as well."